Lionel Smit Paintings Depict The Cape Malay Woman

Changing Face Of South African Captured In New Art Show

We've always been fans of artist Lionel Smit's bright, bold work, so we're pleased the South African artist has returned with a new exhibition in London.

Part of Lionel Smit's 'STRATA' collection

Smit, who lives and works in Cape Town, has returned to his large canvasses for his latest show, 'STRATA'. A collection of striking portraits of the women from Cape Malay, an ethnic group in South Africa with Javanese origins.

Smit's portraits reel the viewer in with an intriguing contrast of bold blocks of colour and delicate linework with vivid effect. Blue and orange feature heavily in this show, reflecting the roots of the community while demonstrating the way identity changes in modern life.

We're pleased to say we've got a selection of the images available in our slideshow below - what do you think?

Accumulation #3, Oil on canvas, 165X165cm copy

Lionel Smit ‘STRATA’

SRATA is on at Rook & Raven gallery, London, until 24 November

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